Written by

Scott Bowles, USA TODAY

Though it was crowned the Academy Awards' best picture Sunday night - by Michelle Obama, no less - Argo's gauntlet run through the critics' and guild awards began with bad news: Affleck's exclusion for a best-director nomination on Jan. 10.

After that, though, Argo and Affleck took no prisoners, sweeping virtually every award leading to the Oscars. In turn, it has made Affleck one of the most in-demand directors in the industry. ...